Priory Country Park Lake

A 360-acre Green Flag country park on the edge of Bedford town centre, centred on the main Priory Lake — a 60-acre former gravel pit forming part of a bend in the River Great Ouse. Managed by Bedford Borough Council, the park also offers fishing on the Finger Lakes, Riverside Pond and the New Cut. The river within the park boundary is free to fish with an EA rod licence only.

• A valid EA Rod Licence must be in possession and shown on demand.
• Fishing season runs from 16 June to 14 March. Fishing is prohibited during the closed season.
• Season permits only — no single day tickets are available. Apply online via Bedford Borough Council website.
• Anglers under 14 years old do not require a park fishing permit. Anglers aged 14–18 require a junior permit.
• Fishing is not allowed in some areas of the park. Permit holders must check on-site fishing maps for permitted zones. The central section of Priory Lake is closed November to March for overwintering w
• The River Great Ouse within the park boundary is free to fish with an EA rod licence only — no park permit is required for the river.
• Night fishing is available to permit holders with a day/night permit. Anglers under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult for night sessions.
• Fishing from marked swims only on Priory Lake. Vegetation between swims must not be disturbed or damaged.
• The permit allows up to three rods per angler in the same swim, provided the angler holds two EA rod licences.
• Keepnets are prohibited. All fish must be returned to the water from which they were caught.
• Large landing nets and unhooking mats are essential when handling large fish.
• Barbed hooks and bent hooks are prohibited.
• When fishing for predators, wire traces and semi-barbed treble hooks must be used. Nylon or nylon-coated traces are forbidden.
• When lure fishing, barbless hooks must be used.
• Dead baiting: only fresh or frozen sea baits are permitted. Use of coarse fish is prohibited. Live baiting and fishing for live bait within the park is an offence.
• Only soluble-type boilies are permitted. Nuts and beans are prohibited.
• No floating baits due to the presence of wildfowl.
• No pre-baiting of any swim. No mass baiting. Bait boats are prohibited.
• Alcohol, fires and BBQs are prohibited in the park.
• Camping is prohibited. Small tents or bivouacs are permitted within the swim area provided they do not obstruct the bankside path.
• No high-powered lanterns (over 100,000 candelas) or flashlights permitted.
• Parking in designated areas only. Where access is via combination padlock, the code must not be shared and gates locked after use.